Litter

Everyone has a role to play

In common with towns around the country Midsomer Norton faces a litter challenge – and the only way we are going to tackle it, is as a community.

B&NES Neighbourhood Team

On a daily basis the B&NES Neighbourhood Team are in the front line of tackling litter in Midsomer Norton. Whilst recognition has been given to those volunteers who clear the river and walk the streets picking litter, the work of these B&NES employees is largely taken for granted by the majority of people who live and work in the town.

Every morning, seven days a week, they literally sweep through Midsomer Norton – starting at 5am. First comes the road sweeper, then follows a hand brush and litter pick of those difficult to reach places. Finally, the bins are emptied.

How many Nortonians are aware just how bad our
town looks in the early hours on a Saturday and Sunday morning after the revelers have gone home from the town centre? Pictures of the ugly truth quite frankly bring shame on our town.

“We acknowledge that some litter will always find its way onto the street but we probably at a very rough estimate get 20 tons a year from the streets of Midsomer Norton. That’s a lot of rubbish and if people could use the bins then more time could be spent focusing on other aspects of keeping the whole town looking tidier”, said Wayne Honey – our Neighbourhood Manager for B&NES.

The Town Council has already run two Big Litter Picks – but going forward we want to stop it being dropped in the first place and ultimately show more respect for those whose job it is to keep Midsomer Norton clean and tidy.

The B&NES Neighbourhood Team deserve a huge thank you, for doing such a great job and they need our support. So next time you see a bottle lying on the pavement, spare a thought and pick it up and pop it in the nearest bin.

New Litter Bins

It is true many people do use the bins – but a problem has been there aren’t enough or they get full too soon. So the Town Council has begun a programme of installing additional bins. So far we’ve installed 6 at a cost of £3,722, with 2 more yet to be sited. The feedback from residents has been so positive we’ve allocated another £2,500 and B&NES have installed a number of larger bins in the town which are able to take pizza and other fast food boxes.

The new bin locations include:

4 on the cycle way (each end and either side of the pit path)

1 at the end of Rackvernal Road

1 outside Martin’s where the existing bin will also be replaced by a new one • The remaining 2 will be located on the Greenway in Welton.

How you can help

A team of volunteers for Midsomer Norton’s Big Tidy Up in 2012

Use your food waste container– One of the biggest problems is seagulls ripping open waste bags on collection day containing food and the contents spilling out onto the street. Litter eyesores would reduce hugely if people simply recycled their food waste into a secure container. If you don’t have one, get in touch with Council Connect.

Organise or take part in a community litter pick– These are a great way for local people to make a difference in their community. We’ll provide all the necessary equipment including gloves, hi-viz tabards and litter pickers and even pick-up the collected waste. You just provide the people power! Get in touch via Council Connect and you can even post your event on the Council’s Events Calendar.

Let us know about grime hotspots– You can get in touch with us 24 hours a day through Council Connect to report litter, graffiti, fly tipping, or anything you think is an environmental nuisance. We are here to help and will respond as quickly to the problem as we can. All of our staff appreciate the information the public gives us to help us do our job more effectively.

Put your litter in the bin– There is no excuse. Either bin it, or take your litter home with you. Same goes for cigarette butts and chewing gum.